Swimming-glove



(No Model.)

J. G. BISELE.

SWIMMING GLOVE.

No. 458,888. 7 Patented Sept. 1,1891.

WITNESSES.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN G. EISELE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SWIMMING-GLOVE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 458,888, datedSeptember 1, 1891.

' Application filed November 17, 1890. Serial No. 371,671. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN G. EISELE, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania,have invented a new and useful Improvement in Swimming-Gloves, whichimprovement is fully set forth in the following specification andaccompanying drawings.

My invention consists of a swimming-glove formed of an elastic web andfingers secured thereto, whereby said web presents a broad andcomparatively flat surface for impact with the water, and the hand is onthe back of the web, so as to most conveniently operate the glove andpresent no obstacles to the water.

It also consists of means for stiffening the glove near the wristportion thereof and pre venting contraction of said portion.

Figures 1 and 2 represent perspective views of opposite faces of aswimming-glove embodying my invention. Fig. 3 represents a section of aportion on line 00 00, Fig. 2.

Similarletters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the severalfigures.

Referring to the drawings, A designates a web of soft rubber or otherelastic material, and B designates finger-pieces, stalls, or pocketssecured thereto and adapted to receive the thumb and fingers of thehand, said pockets being on the back of the web.

Connected with the wrist end of the web is a strap 0 for securing theglove to the wrist of the wearer.

Embedded in the web near the wrist portion is a piece D of rigidmaterial, the same being shown in section in Fig. 3 and dotted in theother figures.

It will be seen that when the hand is moved during swimming the webpresents a broad surface to the water, and the latter is prevented fromescaping between the fingers, thus facilitating the swimming operationand easing the same. The web is also comparatively flat and the hand ison the back of the same, so that there is no projection on the face ofthe web to resist the traction of the same on the water, and owing tothe said hand being uncovered 011 its back its freedom of action is notrestricted. The piece D prevents the closing of the web at the wristportion and also preserves the width of the same, besides strengtheningsaid portion where considerable strain is occasioned. 'Ihe web stretchesas the hand is distended and contracts as the same is closed. By thisprovision I am enabled to use thin and light elastic material for saidweb. In the tips of the pieces B are openings E for admitting of theescape of water therethrough and also providing for ventilation.

I am aware that it is not new to form a swimming device of an elasticglove which is adapted to cover the hand and fingers and a flexible webcovering the spaces between the fingers, and such I do not claim; but Iam not aware that it is old to form a glove of an elastic web withsections of finger-pieces connected therewith, leaving the back of thehand uncovered; neither am I aware that it is old to form the fingersopen at both ends, whereby any water entering the same can freely escapetherefrom; neither is it thought to be old to provide a web at the partthereof which is adapted to be attached to the wrist of the wearer witha stiffening-piece, whereby the portion thereof between the fingers andwrists is kept extended or spread out, and thereby presenting a flatsurface, against which the palm of the hand may bear.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. A swimming-glove consisting of a web with separate finger portionssecured thereto, wrist-fastenings on said web, and a stiffening piececonnected with said wrist portion to eX- tend the web beyond the sidesof the hand, the portion of the web between the fingerpieces and wristbeing plain and uncovered, said parts being combined substantially asdescribed.

2. A swim ming-glove consisting of an elastic web with finger and thumbpieces open at both ends secured on the back thereof and provided with afastening-strap at the wrist portion thereof, said portion having astiffen? ing-piece embedded therein, and the portion of the web betweenthe finger-pieces and the stiffening-pieces being plain and withoutcovering, said parts being combined substantially as described.

JOHN G. EISELE.

Witnesses:

JOHN A. WIEDERsHEIM, A. P. JENNINGS.

